It's Auburn Art Walk time

Loryll Nicolaisen/Auburn JournalArtists Lenore Blaauw, Linda Husby and Gerda Francesca, from left, sneak a peek at the Outside the Box 2 exhibit, which officially opens at the Arts Building Gallery in time for Thursday’s Auburn Art Walk.

The Auburn Art Walk kicks off its 16th season tonight, bringing the community face-to-face with local artists and their creations. Here’s what you need to know about the first of four “walks” planned between now and October:

What it is: Businesses throughout Downtown and Old Town Auburn transform into galleries during the Auburn Art Walk, which is held from 6-9 p.m. on the second Thursday of April, June, August and October. Participating locations — April’s Art Walk boasts 34 businesses — are noted on the Auburn Art Walk map. Auburn Art Walk is a rain or shine event, which is good to know, considering that the National Weather Service Auburn forecast says showers are likely this evening.

Map it out: Getting your hands on a map is key to taking full advantage of the Art Walk, says Rosie Stilwell, a longtime Art Walk committee member. Maps are available at the Arts Building, 808 Lincoln Way, participating Art Walk locations — keep an eye out for signs set up outside Downtown and Old Town businesses — and at PlacerArts.org. This year’s Art Walk map is available online in an interactive format, which means viewers can click on any of the map’s numbered locations to learn more about the featured artist or artists on display. “The visitors can learn a little bit about the artist and their work,” Stilwell said. “It’s a definite improvement. People are going to like being able to do that, that extra step.”

What’s new? Stilwell said tonight’s Art Walk includes two first-time hosts. Downtown’s Design Well, Live Well Interior Designs Eco Boutique, at 937 Lincoln Way, has Peggy Spurrier’s creations on display. In Old Town, Tsuda’s Old Town Eatery, 103 Sacramento St., features Douglass Truth’s acrylic on canvas.

Free ride: The Art Walk Express, a free shuttle, runs through Old Town and Downtown Auburn from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The shuttle passes by each Art Walk venue every 20 minutes or so.

Pint-sized participants: Young artists — think kindergarten through fifth grade — have a chance to design masterpieces with the “On the Easel” poster project. Pick up a poster at either the Arts Building or the Gold Country Plaza in Old Town during tonight’s Art Walk and decorate away. Completed posters, turned in by May 12 to the Arts Building Gallery, will be displayed at participating June Art Walk locations. Call (530) 885-5670 for information. Also of note for younger Art Walk-ers is easel painting for kids at Courthouse Coffee (1425 Lincoln Way), and face painting and a visit with the Sugar Plump Fairies at Kerry Terese Salon, 164 Sacramento St.

Art for the ears: In addition to viewing one-of-a-kind art created by community members, Art Walk-ers are also welcome to stop and take a listen to live music. The City of Auburn Arts Commission sponsors music at three locations — Pam Pamperin at Auburn City Hall, Cachet at the Clock Tower, and the Begin Family Fiddlers at the State Theater. Catch the Jay Paulus Society Band at Awful Annie’s in Old Town. Courthouse Coffee also provides live music.

Want to know more? Learn more about the Auburn Art Walk by calling (530) 885-5670, or visit www.PlacerArts.org.